Personalised support for those living with dementia
Dementia takes many forms and can impact the lives of those living with it in a variety of ways. From initial assessment to ongoing visits, our team caters for the individual needs of clients and their families.
The following brief case studies illustrate just a few of the ways in which our care team can support those living with dementia. The names of clients have been changed or anonymised for the purpose of discretion.
Support for family carers
Mrs A called us because her husband has dementia and she was feeling very tired. She wanted a regular two-hour call for a carer to be with her husband, while she took some time out.
Mr A has got to know one carer, a man, and they take the time to go for a drive, sometimes a pint, and always a laugh! Mrs A says she is now feeling more able to cope, knowing her husband will happily accept help from someone other than her.
Relieving stress and anxiety
Barbara’s mother, Mrs D, has dementia and lives with Barbara. Mrs D was due home after a stay in a respite home and Barbara wasn’t sure she’d be able to juggle her busy day job with caring for mum.
We went to meet Barbara and Mrs D in the respite home, then visited the home they share in order to complete a full assessment and set up a care plan ready for Mrs D’s homecoming.
We visit Mrs D just after 9am, once the family has left for work. We help her with some light housework and have a good chat over a cup of tea. We visit again to have lunch with her and either go for a walk or to the shops. At our afternoon visit, we’re happy to help prepare the evening meal with Mrs D, who has always been a great cook.
Our visits have not only eased the pressure on Barbara but they’ve reduced the stress and anxiety that Mrs D had felt previously.
Supporting independent living
Mrs E’s family live a long distance away and often worry about her. Despite their concern, Mrs E felt she was not in need of any assistance and was initially reluctant when her family suggested they meet with us.
At our assessment visit with Mrs E and her son, Mrs E soon warmed to our kind assessor, who didn’t bombard her with ‘silly questions’ and instead spent time having a cup of tea and getting to know her.
To start with, Mrs E agreed to have a ‘wellbeing’ visit every morning, just to reassure her family she was OK. We did this for several months and, as her condition developed, we gradually adjusted the care plan and visits to keep her safe and well. Tasks vary depending on what’s required but include encouraging healthy eating and drinking and making sure Mrs E takes her medication. We’ve also fielded telephone sales calls and prevented Mrs E missing hospital appointments by keeping an eye open for important post.
The family is less worried and Mrs E is happy in her own house. There will come a time when living at home will cease to be viable but the support we provide will make that time of change less traumatic.
Helping manage depression
People who suffer from dementia can often get quite depressed. When our carer arrived at Mr F's house recently, Mr F didn't want to do anything or go anywhere and said he thought our carer probably had much better things to do than spend time with him. Our carer said that in fact she did have some glasses to pick up and a few errands to run in town, and suggested that Mr F come along with her.
Mr F reluctantly agreed but once out and about, he began to chat and show interest in things. As it turned out, the two of them had a very enjoyable day together, and have planned similar trips out for the future.